Playing one of the toughest schedules in the state, not to mention enduring intense daily practice sessions, Linden is prepared for anything at this point of the season.

The No. 4 team in The Star-Ledger Top 20 was coming off a 14-point loss to Roselle Catholic this week and trailed by as many as 10 points late in the third quarter to a relatively unknown opponent, Riverdale Baptist of Maryland, in the PrimeTime Shootout yesterday at Roselle High School in Roselle.

No problem for Otis Livingston and the Tigers, who made big shot after big shot and big foul shot after big foul shot in the fourth quarter and overtime to post a hard-fought 52-47 victory.

Livingston, a junior point guard, led a balanced attack with 18 points, making two big 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, two foul shots with seven seconds left to force overtime and four foul shots in the final 17 seconds to close out overtime for Linden.

Quinton Dixon added 15 points, sinking two 3-pointers in the final 5:03 of regulation and another in overtime. Linden improved to 17-3, while Riverdale, which had lost to Newark Tech on Friday by three points, fell to 23-6.

“We know the game is four quarters, so you can never give up,'' Livingston said. “We've been through so many tough games this season, so we know if we just keep playing hard we have enough confidence in ourselves.''

Linden trailed by 10 before going on an 8-0 run, keyed by 3-pointers from Dixon and Livingston, to trail by two with 6:47 left to play. Riverdale Baptist went ahead by six, but 3-pointers by Dixon and Livingston put the Tigers right back in the thick of it heading into the final three minutes of play.

Riverdale went up two on a basket by Kenneth Wormley with 35 seconds left, but Livingston would send it into overtime with two clutch foul shots.

“We're tested each day in practice and in every game.'' said Livingston, a transfer from the Patrick School. “So I have confidence in myself and my teammates and coaches do too. So I love being in those situations.''

In overtime, Riverdale opened things up with a basket, but Dixon hit a 3-ball to give Linden a lead for good at 46-45. After Riverdale closed to within 48-47 with 25 seconds left, Livingston made two foul shots with 17 seconds left, then sealed it with two more at 0:08.